Gathering Music

“Child of God” – Words & Music: Mark Miller

No matter what people say, say or think about me – I am a child of God.
No matter what people say, say or think about you – You are a child of God.
No matter what the world says, says or thinks about me – I am a child of God.
No matter what the government says, decisions, pronouncements, on you – You are a child of God.
And there is nothing, no one who can separate, they can’t separate you from the truth that you are someone, you are family, you are meant to be a child of God.

Call to Worship

Jacqualine Chipongo

Leader: Praise be to the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ! In His immense mercy, God has granted us a new beginning into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

People: We take joy in the overflowing grace and peace that God has given us, chosen and made holy by the Spirit.

Leader: Even though we have not seen God, we love God; and though we do not currently see God, we trust in God and are filled with joy that cannot be put into words.

People: Let us rejoice in the salvation of our souls, which is a testament to God’s grace that the prophets yearned to comprehend.

Opening Song

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” – Words: James Weldon Johnson, Music: Rosamond Johnson

1. Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of liberty;
let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies,
let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;
sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
let us march on till victory is won.

3. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;
lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee;
shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand,
true to our God, true to our native land.

Opening Prayer

Cassie Montelongo

Lord, you have an incredible foundation, rich and blessed continuity, rooting our celebration traditions in the earth period. You have amplified seedtime in the harvest through your degree festivals. It’s been bountiful, directing our attention to the blessings you have poured upon us, filling your people lives with immeasurable love. There are no lives that are not touched on this earth by a tradition of harvest celebration, and we are grateful for the bountifulness of blessings, joy, and love, so let this be a day of remembrance of a bountiful harvest. Praise be to God. Amen.

Scripture Reading – 1 Peter 1: 1b- 11

Migdalia Moore

Word of Advice from The Deans and Our Advisors

Song

The Battle of the Republic (Revised Version) – Words: Julia Ward Howe and Tony Larsen

1. Mine eyes have seen the glory of a world that soon may be.
   I have dreamed a dream of peace and freedom for humanity.
   I have heard the poor and hungry as they strive to be set free.
   And Love goes marching on.

Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
God’s truth is marching on.

2. I have heard the sounds of warfare, and I’ve watched my siblings die.
I have seen the costs of violence, and I’ve heard the children’s cries.
I have asked myself, “Who’ll change the world?” and answered “You and I!”
God’s truth goes marching on. [Refrain]

3. God has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
God is searching out the hearts of all before the judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer God; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on. [Refrain]

Introduction of Speaker

Chantel Makarawa

Sermon

“Grace in Abundance”

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth C. Abel

Choir Anthem

“Ready For a Change”

Words: Jenni Lee Boyden, Rusty Edwards, Music: Mark Miller

Seminary Choir

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth C. Abel
Communion Ushers: Rutendo Makarau and Janice Marie Beauchamp

Leader: Beloved in Christ, we gather at this table to celebrate the abundant grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who offers us mercy, forgiveness, and fullness of life. It is in the hardest moments of life we need to remember that the grace of God has been freely poured out upon us, overflowing beyond measure, welcoming us here today.
People: Thanks be to God for the gift of God’s amazing grace that meets us here and fills our lives.
Leader: As we draw near to receive this holy meal, let us remember that Christ’s invitation is extended to all, no matter our past, no matter our burdens. In God’s grace, we are made whole.

Leader: Before we partake, let us confess our need for God’s grace. In humility, let us
acknowledge where we fall short and trust in the unending mercy of God.
(Brief silence)
Leader: Merciful God, we confess that we often try to earn Your love and struggle to receive Your grace. We are weary from striving and slow to surrender. Forgive us for the ways we have wandered and restore us through Your mercy.
People: Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have doubted Your grace or withheld it from others. Cleanse our hearts and renew our spirits, that we may rest in the abundance of Your love.
Leader: Hear the good news: God’s grace is boundless, freely given, and it covers all our sins and our humanness. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and made new. Let us rejoice in this grace and live in the fullness of God’s love.
People: Thanks be to God for mercy that never ends!

Leader: All who are thirsty for the grace of God, come. All who hunger for a deeper knowledge of Christ’s love, come. At this table, Christ invites you to come freely, to partake of His body and blood, to know the depths of His love, and to receive the fullness of His grace. This is the table of grace, prepared for you.
Leader: On the night our Lord Jesus was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said, “This is My body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper, He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me”

Leader: Gracious God, pour out Your Spirit upon this bread and cup, that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ, a sign of Your abundant grace. As we receive these gifts, may we be transformed by Your love and strengthened to share Your grace with all the world.

Sharing of the Bread and Cup:
Leader: As you receive the bread, remember that Christ’s body was given for you—a gift of grace beyond all measure. As you receive the cup, remember that His blood was poured out for you, a sign of the new covenant, sealed in love.

Closing Prayer after Communion:
Leader: Loving God, we thank You for this holy meal, for in it we find ourselves deeply loved and richly blessed. As we go from this table, help us to live as people of Your grace. May we embody Your compassion, extend Your kindness, and walk in Your peace, reflecting the love You have shown us.
People: Amen.

Blessing

Rev. Dr.Elizabeth C. Abel

Leader: Go now in the grace and peace of Christ, remembering that His love is boundless and His grace is abundant. Let His grace shape every word, every deed, and every thought, that all who encounter us may encounter Him.
People: Amen. Thanks be to God!

Sending Song

We are marching in the light of God – South African hymn

We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, we are marching, ooh,
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, we are marching, ooh,
We are marching in the light of God.

Siyahamba, ekukanyen’ kwenkos’,
Siyahamba, ekukanyen’ kwenkos’,
Siyahamba, ekukanyen’ kwenkos’,
Siyahamba, ekukanyen’ kwenkos’,
Siyahamba, siyahamba, oh,
Siyahamba ekukanyen’ kwenkos’.
Siyahamba, siyahamba, oh,
Siyahamba ekukanyen’ kwenkos’.